In the recently restored Piccolomini Library Pinturicchio's fresco cycle is a rare example of a unified decoration of the early sixteenth century. Well-suited to Pinturicchio's skills and to a somewhat provincial Siena, his lyric style fits comfortably into the medieval setting of the Cathedral. The subject matter concerns incidents in the life of Pius II, the Sienese pope and humanist, an unusually complete program for someone neither a saint nor a ruler.

The donor of the library and its furnishings was Francesco Todeschini (1439-1503) who wished to create a monument to his family and a memorial to his mother's brother Enea Silvio Piccolomini who had served as Pope Pius II from 1458 to 1464. In 1460 Pius II elevated Todeschini to the rank of cardinal and permitted him to assume the Piccolomini name and the family's coat of arms. In 1503 Francesco succeeded Pope Alexander VI as Pius III but his reign was brief, he died twenty-six days later.

The contract for the decoration of the library was signed in the presence of Francesco Todeschini-Piccolomini on June 19, 1502 and the painting was finished in April 1508.

The source for the ten episodes from the life of Pius II was Pius II's autobiography, the famous Commentarii, written between 1462 and 1464. In addition to being the official life story of a pope, it is a fascinating political and historical chronicle. The narratives are illustrated with descriptive clarity, the figures precisely drawn, the unatmospheric landscape bright and sharply defined.

The ten compartments are separated by painted pilasters with grotteschi decoration, while each individual scene is framed by illusionistic jambs and arches decorated with simulated red and white marble paneling. Wee seem to be looking through the arches of a gigantic loggia into scenes from Enea Silvio's life. The pageant-like incidents display a panoply of colourful costumes against fanciful architectural or landscape backgrounds, except when a recognizable setting was required by the narrative.

Preview	Picture Data	Info
	Entrance to the Piccolomini Library 1502-08 Fresco Duomo, Siena
	The Coronation of Pope Pius III 1509 Fresco Duomo, Siena
	View of the Piccolomini Library 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	View of the Piccolomini Library 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	View of the Piccolomini Library 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	Ceiling decoration 1502-03 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	Ceiling decoration (detail) 1502-03 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	Ceiling decoration (detail) 1502-03 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 1: Enea Piccolomini Leaves for the Council of Basel 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 1: Enea Piccolomini Leaves for the Council of Basel 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 1: Enea Piccolomini Leaves for the Council of Basel (detail) 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 2: Enea Piccolomini as an Ambassador to the Court of James I of Scotland 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 3: Frederick III Crowning Enea Silvio Piccolomini with a Laurel Wreath 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 3: Frederick III Crowning Enea Silvio Piccolomini with a Laurel Wreath (detail) 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 4: Homage to Pope Eugenius IV in the Name of Emperor Frederick III 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	Homage to Pope Eugenius IV in the Name of Emperor Frederick III 1502-08 Pen and brown ink with brown wash, 650 x 405 mm Devonshire Collection, Chatsworth
	No. 5: Enea Silvio Piccolomini Presents Frederick III to Eleonora of Portugal 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 5: Enea Silvio Piccolomini Presents Frederick III to Eleonora of Portugal (detail) 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 5: Enea Silvio Piccolomini Presents Frederick III to Eleonora of Portugal (detail) 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	The Encounter between Frederick III and Eleonora of Portugal - Pen and brown ink with brown wash, 660 x 533 mm The Morgan Library and Museum, New York
	No. 6: Enea Silvio is Elevated to Cardinal 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 7: The Coronation of Enea Silvio Piccolomini as Pope Pius II 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 7: The Coronation of Enea Silvio Piccolomini as Pope Pius II (detail) 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 8: Pope Pius II at the Congress of Mantua 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 8: Pope Pius II at the Congress of Mantua 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 9: The Canonization of Catherine of Siena by Pope Pius II 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 9: The Canonization of Catherine of Siena by Pope Pius II (detail) 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 10: Pope Pius II Arrives in Ancona 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena
	No. 10: Pope Pius II Arrives in Ancona (detail) 1502-08 Fresco Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena